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    Drama Review: Jama Taqseem

    Written by: Dr. Saba Noor
    Posted on: October 06, 2025 | | 中文

    Talha Chahour and Mawra Hocane in Jama Taqseem

    In a world full of manifestations and delusions, Jama Taqseem stands out as a realistic portrayal of the toxicity often found in South Asian households. While the joint family system is often celebrated as an emotionally strong and supportive structure, its darker side is either rarely explored or shown in extremes, either overly glorified or excessively vilified. Jama Taqseem strikes a fine balance, earning its place as a top-tier drama for shedding light on these uncomfortable truths. ‎

    Javed Sheikh and Beo Rana Zafar

    Produced under MD Productions, written by Sarwat Nazir, and directed by Ali Hassan, the drama airs twice a week on HUM TV. It stars Mawra Hocane and Talha Chahour in the lead roles.

    The story unfolds with Mawra Hocane portraying Laila, a progressive, educated young woman from a high-standard background who proposes to her classmate Qais, played by Talha Chahour. Qais comes from a well-off but deeply traditional joint family, where outdated customs and rigid thinking still prevail. As their married life begins, the real struggle starts, not due to a lack of love, but due to the suffocating interference and excessive restrictions imposed by Qais's family. ‎

    Talha and Mawra in one of the scenes

    Jama Taqseem doesn’t necessarily bring something entirely new to the table; rather, it realistically reflects the experiences of many women in desi households. These include being forced into domestic chores, being deprived of basic rights or comforts despite the family’s financial stability, toxic competition among extended family members, and even childhood rivalries fueled by the manipulations of elders.

    Despite the positive aspects of the joint family system, there are certain harsh realities that are rarely portrayed or discussed openly on television. These issues often make people uncomfortable, leading to silence and denial within many households and communities. However, the drama series Jama Taqseem courageously sheds light on these difficult truths. It addresses sensitive and disturbing topics, such as the harassment and blackmail of a female cousin by her male cousin, an issue that is often swept under the rug but has serious emotional and social consequences. By bringing such stories to the forefront, the drama challenges societal taboos and encourages viewers to confront uncomfortable realities rather than ignore them. ‎

    Amna Malik and Mawra Hocane

    Qais, who comes from a conservative family, plays a role quite similar to Murad from the drama serial Mannat Murad, both portrayed by the talented Talha Chahour. Like Murad, Qais falls in love with a girl from a high-status, liberal background but Qais hails from a family where love marriages are frowned upon and often considered a serious transgression. Despite the societal and familial resistance, Qais manages to marry her. However, his real struggle begins after marriage, as he finds himself torn between keeping his wife happy and meeting the expectations of his traditional family. Adding to his challenges is the societal mindset that ridicules men for supporting their wives, if a husband helps with household chores or stands by his wife’s side, he is often labeled as a "Zan Mureed" (a man overly controlled by his wife).

    The drama also highlights other harsh realities within the joint family system, such as the unfair treatment and constant comparison between two daughters-in-law, one who has a son and the other who does not. In many traditional households, having a male child is often considered the ultimate achievement, leading in-laws to favor the daughter-in-law who has given birth to a son. This favoritism creates tension, emotional distress, and a sense of injustice for the other daughter-in-law, who is often marginalized and treated unfairly.

    Additionally, the drama sheds light on the social dynamics where a daughter-in-law from an affluent family background is held in higher regard within the household. This further intensifies divisions and creates a competitive environment rather than one of mutual respect and support. By exposing these uncomfortable truths, the drama encourages viewers to reflect on the damaging effects of such biases and the need for greater empathy and equality in family relationships. ‎

    Talha Chahour and Mawra Hocane

    Mawra Hocane once again delivers an outstanding performance in Jama Taqseem, portraying her character with depth, grace and emotional authenticity. Known for consistently choosing meaningful and socially relevant roles, Mawra continues to impress audiences with her thoughtful project choices and powerful acting.

    She has built a reputation for taking on roles that go beyond surface-level drama and instead highlight important societal issues. Like in Jafa, she courageously stood against domestic violence, bringing attention to the silent suffering many women endure. In Neem, she played a character whose life was devoted to improving access to education for the youth in her village. Now, in Jama Taqseem, she takes on yet another challenging role that exposes the complexities and hidden struggles within joint family systems. From tackling emotional manipulation to shedding light on favoritism and gender bias. Her presence in such projects not only elevates the narrative but also reinforces her commitment to using her platform for meaningful storytelling.

    The central figure in Qais’s family is his father, portrayed by the legendary Javed Sheikh. He is shown as the head of a traditional joint family, consisting of his wife, three sons, one daughter, and their respective families. On the other hand, Laila comes from a highly status-conscious and elite background. Her father, played by renowned Pakistani fashion designer Deepak Perwani, is depicted as a high-ranking army officer, while her mother, portrayed by Tazeen Hussain, is shown as a professor, reflecting a household driven by discipline, education and high expectations. Interestingly, Deepak Perwani and Tazeen Hussain were previously seen in Qarz-e-Jaan, where their characters stood in stark opposition to one another. Their pairing in Jama Taqseem adds an intriguing layer, as they now portray a united yet complex parental duo, adding further depth to the narrative. ‎

    Talha Chahour and Deepak Perwani

    With six episodes down, it will be interesting to see how the story continues to unfold. It seems likely that Laila will take up a job, but since she is unfamiliar with household chores, she may face significant challenges adjusting to her new life. These struggles could create tension within the joint family, possibly leading Qais and Laila to consider living separately. If that happens, it could add a major twist to the storyline, shifting the dynamics of both their relationship and the larger family setup


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021